More than a quarter of a million dollars has been given to colleges and universities across Australia and New Zealand in a bid to help boost retail merchandising skills.
In its commitment to training across the retail industry, technology firm vrSoftware, the developer of leading visual merchandising and design software, has given $383,416 to educational establishments such as Melbourne School of Fashion and Sydney TAFE.
The software, which lets retailers create and merchandise a three-dimensional model of a retail store, has been offered to universities and colleges across the world to help provide students with cutting-edge retail skills.
The same software is used by major retailers such as Nike, Calvin Klein, Reebok, Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger, Adidas and Levi's.
VrSoftware chief executive officer and founder, Colin Liversedge, said the technology aims to help students learn the art of visual merchandising at a detailed level to let them plan, build and visualise an entire 3D store.
Thousands of students can use the vrMockshop to quickly set up virtual stores, dressing them with 3D hanging and folding merchandise, adding mannequins, POS materials and even posters to produce crystal clear 3D merchandising.
“Our solutions are already used on a global basis by some of the world's leading fashion brands, and for me it is a privilege to be in a position to be able to give something back to the retail industry,” Liversedge said. “If I can better help prepare these students and apprentices for their future careers and equip them with specific skills which is demanded by the industry, then hopefully it will lead to an even more employable workforce.”
This year UK-based vrSoftware has given away more than $10million globally for the education of the next generation of retail professionals.